As Jethro Tull celebrates 40 years of worldwide rock superstardom, Capitol/EMI is pleased to announce the June 10 2-CD and digital release of a remastered and expanded Collectors Edition of the British band’s 1968 debut album, This Was. The release presents, for the first time on CD, the album’s original mono mix as well as a new stereo mix of the album. Also featured are nine related 1968 recordings for John Peel’s BBC Radio program, “Top Gear,” plus four rare 1968 UK singles: “Sunshine Day,” “Song For John Gee,” “Love Story” and “Christmas Song.” The commemorative package includes 35 tracks in all, as well as package notes and anecdotes from Jethro Tull’s members.

Initially, Jethro Tull was a strange kind of blues band, mixing blues with folk and at times, hard rock. The group’s first line-up included Mick Abrahams, Glenn Cornick, Clive Bunker, and Ian Anderson. Band advisers tried and failed to persuade Anderson to give up the flute and let Abrahams do the singing, but it was Anderson’s electrifying stage presence and performance that elevated Jethro Tull above other blues rock bands of the time, bringing the band to the attention of the media and other influential music tastemakers.

In the summer of 1968, Tull opened for Pink Floyd at the first Hyde Park Festival and later that year recorded and released This Was. The album reached #10 in the UK charts, partly thanks to significant airplay from BBC Radio DJ John Peel. It peaked at #62 in the US.

In a career that now spans 40 years, Jethro Tull has sold more than 60 million albums around the world and has performed more than 2600 shows in over 40 countries. In recent years, the band has been featured by several hit TV shows, from “The Sopranos” (in which Tony Soprano sang a Tull song) to “Friends” and “Ugly Betty” (which recently name-checked the band).

In addition to releasing This Was (Collectors Edition), Jethro Tull is celebrating with 40th Anniversary tours of the UK and the US (confirmed US dates listed below). Most performances of “An Evening With Jethro Tull” will feature a special guest, as Ian Anderson honors past band members, friends and local musicians. For tour details and other updates, please visithttp://www.jethrotull.com.